In the closing ceremony, New Star, Purnia, and BS Bara Sarju, Tantanagar, played the finals in the senior category, while Barugutlu, Tantanagar, and Chota Tiger, Dirihasa, Manjhari Block, played the finals in the junior category. In thrilling encounters, New Star, Purnia, and Barugutlu, Tantanagar, emerged as winners in the senior and junior categories, respectively.

Addressing the gathering Ms Murmu lauded the efforts of Tata Steel in the preservation and promotion of Jharkhand’s tribal sport, Sekkor. She said, “I am happy to note that besides tribal sports, Tata Steel has taken several initiatives in the fields of sustainable livelihood, education and girl child awareness, with its core focus on ethnicity and promotion of tribal culture. These initiatives in this region will help in improving the quality of life of people”.

On the occasion Mr Satija said, “Sekkor Premier League is a stepping stone targeted towards revival and enrichment of tribal sports. We, at Tata Steel, have been promoting sports as a way of life”.

Ishank Jaggi, renowned Indian cricketer from Jharkhand, was present to cheer for budding Sekkor players and motivated them to take Sekkor to the next level.

For the past four years, Tata Steel has organised several sporting events to revive the tribal sport, Sekkor. To prepare players for Sekkor a seven-day Sekkor Residential Training Programme for tribal children was conducted in three phases from April 17, 2017, to May 8, 2017, at Noamundi Sports Complex.

Sekkor training was imparted to 300 budding players. As many as 2,300 players from more than 120 villages participated in this grand season, while 32 teams from in and around Noamundi played face-offs in 35 league matches. A total of 294 league matches were played among 143 teams from Kolhan region. This first-of-its-kind event in Jharkhand witnessed enthusiastic participation from players in the Kolhan region.